Internet-based money order system

• US 7,853,522 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated), Cybersource Corporation (Visa, Inc.), Western Union
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated), Western Union
• Inventors: Chin, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Colbert; Ella
• Application Number:
  US12/197,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20090055312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 705 16- 18, 705/26, 705/27, 705 30- 33, 705/35, 705/38, 705/39, 705 40- 42, 705/44, 709/228, 709/229, 235379-381
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system and method for purchasing a money order via the internet including the steps of providing an internet based money order system capable of generating money orders upon the receipt of a purchase request by a prospective buyer via the internet for a predetermined amount of funds. The prospective buyer transmits information to the money order system. via the internet, which information is required to purchase the money order. The money order is then remotely generated by the money order system and is delivered to an intended recipient of the money order.

Claims

1. A method for purchasing a money order utilizing a money order system, wherein the money order system is accessible online through a wide area network, said method comprising:

submitting, to the money order system and via the wide area network, a request for a money order, the request including authorization to debit a card account, wherein the submitting step is initiated by a money order sender;

receiving confirmation by a money order sender, via the wide area network, that the money order request has been fulfilled;

issuing a money order, wherein the money order is backed by a third party other than the money order sender or a recipient; and

by the money order system the money order to the recipient.

2. A method for purchasing a money order utilizing a money order system, wherein the money order system is accessible online through a wide area network according to claim 1 wherein submitting a request for a money order comprises the steps of:

selecting a money order request selection on a web page;

entering data requesting the money order including information identifying an account to be debited; and

authorizing debiting the account.